No Serious Injuries Reported From Route 33 Crash

At a little after 2:30 on Wednesday afternoon a three vehicle accident shut down a portion of Route 33 between Colts Neck Road and Route 34.

A report by the Howell Police Department said that Beverly Sanchez, 37, of Old Bridge was driving east on Route 33 in a small bus from the  Freehold Regional Board of Education . While waiting to make a turn into the Angle Inn Trailer Park Sanchez was hit from behind by a tractor trailer driven by 48-year-old Angel Mercado of Linden. 

As a result of the crash the truck jackknifed, striking a utility pole near the Welco Gas company with the trailer shifting into the lane of oncoming traffic. At that point the trailer reportedly hit a van driven by Robert Miller, 69, of Reading PA.

Sanchez had three children on the bus who were not injured. Mercado and Freehold Resident Leonard Kress were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for evaluation while Miller was treated at the hospital for what was described as "multiple lacerations," as well as pain in his shoulder and back. 

Following the crash the roadway was closed for three hours while the vehicles were removed and the power lines were restored. 

Several local agencies responded to the crash including the Howell Township Police EMS, the Ramtown and Howell First Aid Squads, the Squankum Fire Department and paramedics from MONOC.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Ptl. Scott Brooks of the Howell Township Police Department at 732-938-4111.